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THE 
OLD EAGLE SCHOOL 



TREDYFFRIN, CHESTER COUNTY 
PENNSYLVANIA 



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pbila5elpbta : 

FERRIS & LEACH, PUBLISHERS 



Soufarnir (iHtiition of 200 OEopirs. 

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No. '^ 



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THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two CopieG Receivec 

MM 24 1903 

^ Copyright tntry 

CLASS pC- XXc. No. 

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COPY B. 



Non tii)i, dj£u 

Srt carat memotfae tuac." 



COPYRIGHTED, 1902, BY FERRIS & LEACH. 



The Old Eagle School 



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HE OLD EAGLE SCHOOL in Tredyffrin 
Township, Chester County, is one of the 
historical relics of Pennsylvania. Its situation 
on a hillside near Strafford, on the main line 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad, is very pictur- 
esque ; and the interest it excites is much 
enhanced both by its proximity to the last of 
the sentinel trees from which, during the 
encampment at Valley Forge, direct communi- 
cation was maintained with the American 
Army, and by the fact that the cemetery, 
enclosed on part of the ground, is said to 
contain the graves of many Revolutionary soldiers. Nothing is 
definitely known of the origin of the charity. Meagre records, 
largely supplemented by tradition, indicate that about the year 
1767 it was established for religious and educational purposes 
and the repose of the dead ; but, whether by individual 
philanthropy, or by some of the early German Pietists, or by 
wandering Acadians, is uncertain. 

The present building was erected in the year 1788, 
succeeding a log meeting house known as the Lutheran Church, 
and was in constant public use as a school and meeting-house 
for lyceums, lectures and religious services until 1873, when 
it was abandoned, and for some time was occupied by squatters. 
In 1895, after unique legal proceedings, the original trust was 
re-established by decree of the Court of Chester County, and 
Trustees appointed, by whom the property was restored. It is 
now maintained as a historical and reference library and a 
repository for historical relics, and for such other public uses 
as the changed environment may warrant. 




I. 

' As an eagle that stirreth up her nest, 
That fluttereth over her young, 
He spread abroad His wings, He took them. 
He bare them on his pinions." — Moses. 

COUNTRY schoolhouse with its burial- 
ground, 

Bequest from rural life in ruder times ; 

Its name suggestive that no mundane aim 

Confined its influence where its aid was 
sought ; 
But stirring up the youthful minds here fed, 
As when in eyries nurture work is done, 
That influence fluttered o'er them, bore them up, 
And brought them, all unconscious, nearer Him 
Whose loving care for man is thus recalled. 
Be this the subject which this halting verse 
(Inspired by Power which useth humblest means) 
Would fain present in aspects far above 
The rude surroundings of a country school — 
With thoughts, indeed, that would the spot connect 
With Heavenly hopes and Heavenly precepts too, 
As lessons offered by the place to-day ; 
Presented through that sacred Word the which 
" Returneth never to Him void," 'tis writ. 
But " prospereth in the thing whereto 'tis sent." 
And though no formal cornerstone preserve 
The record of its humble origin. 
The uses of the place its story tell. 



II. 



' Remember the days of old ; 
Consider the years of many generations." — Moses. 



—^ Y time-worn graves behold the ancient school ! 

W/% It stands beside the spot where earlier times 
Beheld a meeting-house of rough-hewn logs, 
Which sheltered long the German pioneers, 
There wont to join in voice of praise and prayer. 
And joy in freedom thus to worship God. 
It thus hath stood a hundred years and more 
A church and school, with resting-place for Dead ; 
In silence telling how from earliest time, 
The love to yield the homage due to God, 
With love to cultivate His gift of mind 
Commingling grow, in this great land of Truth, 
Till all shall "know" at last, as they "are known." 
Could these old stones, so long concealed from sight 
Beneath the cover later care bestowed. 
Declare the influence all-pervading here. 
Recall the thoughts which here inspired men. 
Although "unlearned and ignorant" perhaps. 
Their voices would in glad acclaim be raised. 
As bidden to "remember days of old," 
To render homage such as stones had done 
In heralding the advent of the Christ 
Before the city of Jerusalem, 
Had loud-acclaiming throngs been silent then. 



Yet since 'tis not ordained these stones should speak 

(A service silent theirs, albeit long), 

Since unto man this privilege is given 

As "put in trust" the Gospel truths to spread, 

Thou who inspirest man with Godlike powers, 

Whose blessed influence lifts man's thoughts to God, 

Give ear, O Spirit, guide this venturous verse. 

Nor let apparent insignificance 

Forbid thine aid nor yet abate its power. 

Disclose the Presence, here long undiscerned. 

Of the Divine, the Living Cornerstone, 

And tell the message there contained for all. 

Regard these lines, mere fragments though they seem. 

By laborer's toil in unskilled manner chipped 

From sacred gems or the Everlasting Rock, 

And as by power of alchemy divine. 

Mosaics show them, in the Master's use. 



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III. 



' Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness ; 
but a faithful man who can find?" — Solomon. 



SUBLIME repression here of selfish aims : 
A relic this of true philanthropy, 
Memorializing work well done, and not 
The humble instruments the work employed. 
A contrast strong with custom usual now, 
In disregard of words against such alms. 
To make display of every donor's name, 
Connecting it with His Almighty Name 
From whom all good gifts have their origin. 
Yet mig-ht each stone attest the care bestowed 
When laid in place by hands which thus gave alms 
(Without a trumpet's sound) of all they could ; 
Nor scorned to give the labor of those hands 
As contributions to this Charity. 
'Twas He, who knows the secret here concealed, 
Declared a widow's mite accepted alms ; 
And in the restoration of this place 
Fulfils His promise of the open meed. 



IV. 



' He that is faithful in that which is least, is 
faithful also in much." — The Christ. 



s 



WEET memories cluster here of patient work, 
As day by day, and often month by month, 



The master and the scholars gathered round 
Would scarcely know of any progress made 
Within the scanty time they snatched for school 
From toilsome tasks of pioneering life. 
Yet progress in some form is always found 
By plodding toilers treading Duty's path ; 
By all is knowledge gained, experience won ; 
Perhaps no more than rude foundations laid, 
Perchance at most here learned the immortal truth : 
"They also serve who only stand and wait." 
Who may declare, before the sum is told 
At day of reckoning with the Almighty Judge, 
The extent of influence, not confined to place, 
Of those who in this schoolhouse once were taught ? 
And thoueh the school no Lincoln hath enrolled 
Amongst its scholars, may it not have trained 
Some feebler servant, who then helped to raise 
Some Franklin, Marshall, or perhaps a Wayne, 
To higher places ? as when Andrew brought 
The pillar Cephas to the Master, Christ. 



V. 



"We are laborers together with God." — S/. Paul. 



G* N silence stand these graves as witnesses 
To pious uses long established here — 
mi^^ To uses which no narrow sect restrained, 
^ i# But born of broad and comprehensive aim 
Which seeks the worker in the field of work, 
And makes such places seem not far from Him 
Who bade the lowly fishermen " catch men," 
And sent them seeking "into all the world." 
And though such uses seldom raise to fame 
The servant in that holy work engaged. 
Yet those whose only ordination is 
The word, "Let him that hears the call say, 'Come,'" 
Find promised strength and comfort in the thought 
That they, as workers, are thus joined with Him. 
And though to least some Christian aid be given, 
'Tis given, His word declares it given, to Him. 
The blest assurance ever was vouchsafed, 
Where two or three are gathered in His Name 
There He will be and with them in their midst 
Though undiscerned as on the Emmaus road ; 
For even in a humble spot like this. 
Oft-times the Holy Spirit finds His home 
Within the temple of some human heart. 



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VI. 

"There is no respect of persons with God." — Si. Pau/. 



A RURAL trysting-place is here disclosed, 
Where useful pleasures oft were sought 

and found — 
Forensic contests at debating clubs, 
Where cobblers', carpenters' and blacksmiths' boys 
Met face to face the farmers' sons of right : 
J^he heirs apparent to allodial homes 
But freshly wrested from tyrannic power. 
Themselves rude types of Nature's noblemen. 
The farmers' daughters too, with serving maids. 
Oft trained their voices here at singing-school, 
To cultivate an art of heavenly birth. 
A social centre of bucolic life : 
Here master, mistress, maids and working men. 
Were often gathered, while itinerants 
In lecture, magic-lantern, and the like 
Presented glimpses of a wider world — 
The " little leaven, leavening all the lump." 
Such scenes must to the thoughtful mind suggest 
All class distinction here discountenanced. 
The mission of this schoolhouse was to bring 
Some elevation to the lowest rank. 
And thus fulfil the plan of Him who seeks 
" The poor of this world, rich in faith," and makes 
Them heirs of kingdoms He prepares above. 



Where better than in such a place as this 

Can heeded be those warning words of Paul : 

"Mind not" the glamour which surrounds "high things," 

" But condescend to men of low estate " ? 

The Master's influence was no less because, 

Athirst and weary. He, at Jacob's well, 

Asked water from the abased Samaritan, 

And promised her, when asking, living draughts ! 

He chose the lowly fishermen His friends ; 

He sat at meat with sinners, publicans ; 

A carpenter, and yet — the King of Kings. 




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VII. 

' Breathe upon these slain, that they may hve." — EzekieL 



YET higher far this place would bear the thought 
From scenes within the lives of pioneers. 
These walls and grounds in later years declared 
The close of its career, apparent Death ; 
And thorns and briars evidenced decay 
As Nature sought to hide the emptiness 
When work which man had planned for it was done. 
Yet from this stage of Death's oblivion, 
Responsive to the vital force of Law, 
When breathed upon by that transcendent Power 
Whose breath secures the harmony of worlds. 
It rose, and like a cerement, casting off 
The cover of neglect in which 'twas wrapt. 
It entered on the new and nobler use 
A century's progress should disclose the need. 
Ezekiel's awful vision so declared 
How might the breath of God come on dry bones — 
There representing Israel's withered hope — 
And lo ! they rise, they stand, an army great, 
As born anew to life for them designed 
By Him who speaks and then performs His word. 
And thus the place impressively suggests 
The Resurrection Life, the Christian's goal. 
When man from Grave's dread power shall ransomed stand : 
Death swallowed up in endless Victory, 
And Life Eternal realized at last 
In knowledge of the one True God above. 
And Jesus Christ the Lord, whom He hath sent. 




'THE NEW AND NOBLER USE.' 



VIII. 



I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth 
in me may not abide in the darkness." — The Christ. 



F 



ROM insignificance this place evolves 
Considerations of a holy kind, 



Presenting here, as lessons yet unlearned. 
These admonitions guiding man to Hope, 
The teachings of the holy men of God. 
And warmed in light, these lessons gather round 
The schoolhouse, no impressive mind 
But feels a reverence for the place Time spares 
To tell of patience, love, and final rest. 
And school and grounds, illuminated thus. 
Suggest the place itself, a beacon bright, 
Wherein the lamp of Knowledge, ever trimmed, 
Emits a light, dispelling darkness round ; 
While higher thoughts direct each reverent mind 
To that True Light which lighteth every man. 
And in which Light of Life no darkness dwells : 
(Such thoughts but seemly, where so often came 
The Christ's own Presence in the century past.) 
A mystic type of that same Light once shone 
Where Jewish rites preserved most holy things. 
And veiling curtain hid the Mercy Seat : 
Which things were "shadows of the things to come," 
When all believers should be " kings and priests." 
And since the risen Lord may yet be found 



If sought reliant on the assurance given, 

" Where two or three are gathered in my name : " 

As still unseen the Holy Ghost prepares 

Eternal buildingrs, those "not made with hands;" 

'Tis natural here, that curtain rent, should rise 

Shechinah visions, as those thoughts connect 

This humble schoolhouse with that risen Lord. 

The rude and common may be sanctified ; 

And man, declared to be but dust, may yet 

Become partaker of Divinity. 

Through many centuries, midst distrust and doubt. 

While supplications rise, " Thy kingdom come," 

Have Christians yet sustained unfaltering hope 

That "this same Jesus" will so come again: 

The reason this, that where the Lord has been. 

And where in humblest form this Bethel stands, 

The place is vested with a sanctity 

For those who "shew the Lord's death till He come." 




THK SENTINEL CHESTNin'. 

[Maximum Ciroumffreiu-e 27 Feet.] 

[Staiuliiig near N. E. Corner of The Lancaster Turnpike and Old Eagle School Koad.] 



IX. 



A 



"Even so them also which sleep in Jesus 
will God bring with him." — St. PatiL 

SACRED spot whence such conceptions rise ! 
And consecrated ground this acre, made 
A grassy resting-place 'twixt birth and Life : 
Where, weary from their toil, so many sleep 



Till day shall break and shadows flee away ; 
Until the trump announcing end of Time 
Proclaim the Resurrection and the Life. 



Authoritative. 



1. 

Couplet Book of Deut. 32: 11. 12. 

Lines— 5 and 7 Book of Deut. 32: llj 12. 

18 and 19 Proph. of Isaiah 55: 11. 

II. 

Couplet Book of Deut. 32: 7. 

Lines— 13 1 Cor. 13 : 12. 

18 The Acts 4: 13. 

20 Book of Deut. 32 : 7. 

21 to 24 St. Luke 19: 40. 

28 1 Thess. 2: 4. 

29 Book of Job 32 : 8. 

30 St. John 16: 14. 

35 Eph. 2: 20. 

1 Epis. of St. Peter 2: 4. 

39 Proph. of Isaiah 26: 4. 

in. 

Couplet Book of Proverbs 20: 6. 

Lines— 6 St. Matt. 6: 1. 

P.om. 12: 8. 

9 St. James 1 : 17. 

12 St. Matt. 6: 2. 

16 St. Mark 12: 43. 

18 St. Matt. 6: 6. 

St. Luke 14: 14. 

IV. 

Couplet St. Luke 16: 10. 

Lines— 21 St. Jolm 1 : 42. 

22 Gal. 2: 9. 

t V. 

Couplet 1 Cor. 3 : 9. 

Lines — 7 St. Luke 5 : 10. 

St. Matt. 4: 19. 
8 St. Mark 16: 15. 

12 The Rev. 22: 17. 

14 2 Cor. 6: 1. 

16 St. Matt. 25: 40. 

18 and 19 St. Matt. 18: 20. 

20 St. Luke 24: 13 to 31. 

22 and 23 2 Cor. 6: 16. 



VI. 

Couplet Romans 2: 11. 

Lines— 11 Book of Job 38: 7. 

17 Gal. 5: 9. 

1 Cor. 5: 6. 

23 and 24 St. James 2: 5. 

27 and 28 Romans 12 : 16. 

30 to 32 St. -John 4 : 6-14. 

33 St. John 15 : 15. 

34 St. Mark 2: 15. 

35 St. Mark 6: 3. 

1 Tim. 6: 15. 

vir. 

Couplet Proph. of Ezek. 37 : 9. 

Lines— 16 to 21 . Proph. of Ezek. 37: 114. 

23 Philippians 3: 11. 

24 Proph. of Hosea 13 : 14. 

25 1 Cor. 15 : .54. 

The Rev. 20: 14. 

26 to 28 St. John 17 : 3. 

VIII. 

Couplet St. John 12: 46. 

Lines— 4 1 Cor. 10: 11. 

Romans 15: 4. 

5 2 Epis. of St. Peter 1:21. 

15 St. .John 1 : 9. 

16 St. John 8 : 12. 

1 Epis. of St. John 1: 5. 

19 to 21 Book of Levit. 16: 2. 

Book of Ex. 26: 31-34. 

22 Heb. 8: 5 and 9: 9. 

Col. 2: 17. 
23 The Rev. 1: 6. 

24 and 25 St. Luke 11:9. 

St. James 1:6. 
Proph. of Isaiah 55: 6. 
26 St. Matt. 18: 20. 

27 and 28 2 Cor. 5 : 1. 

29 St. Matt. 27 : 51. 

32 The Acts 10: 1.5. 

33 Book of Gen. 3 : 19. 

34 2 Epis. of St. Peter 1 : 4. 

Heb. 3: 14. 

36 St. Matt. 6: 10. 

38 The Acts 1:11. 

40 Book of Gen. 28 : 19. 

42 1 Cor. 11: 26. 

IX. 

Couplet 1 Thess. 4 : 14. 

Lines — 5 Songs of Sol. 2 : 17. 

6 1 Thess. 4: 16. 

The Rev. 10: 6. 

7 St. John 11: 25. 



.4 190? 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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